16 GGers ran 5km and helped Freightliners City Farm with various jobs

On a cold but surprisingly beautiful evening we were off to do good and get fit. Welcome along to Sarah, Dan and Freddie whose first time it was last night - welcome along :)

In the news this week:

1. A huge well done to Alex whose 50th Good Deed it was last night! He has been doing good in York, Islington and Harringey and loves the physical ones.
2. GoodGym Newcastle had it's first run last night, tell your geordie friends and get them along :)

Well last night was a bit busier in the Arsenal Hub than normal, the Youth FA Cup Semi-Final was on at the Emirates and there were lots of people around, some flagbearers, others not. Interesting to see it all happening around us. After a quick warm up we headed past the Emirates and over to Highbury Fields for a lap before we headed to Freightliners City Farm.

Muckers!

Upon arrival I for one was surprised and elated that how big the farm was and all the stuff going on! I've only been to the farm in the dark and the depths of winter so haven't seen any of the beautiful gardens, various animals and outdoor areas. Liz explained our tasks for the evening were to pull up some decking, shovel some muck and do some gardening.

Task Muck: A team of five shovelled and forked the muck at the back to the front of the pen, this makes it accessible for use the farm. Despite wearing wellies and gloves several people nearly fell into the rising mountains of POO! Various tag lines for Green Party Candidate and mucker Ernie were discussed... it kept the muck morale high...

Weed Time: Frances, Steve and Alison trimmed the grass, cut back weeds and tackled nettles in the beautiful gardens of the farm. They made a big difference in the lush green of the shrubby.

Decking doers: The rest of the group armed with various tools pulled up an area of old decking which is going to recycled on site or off. Aidan and Graham got the fun job of sawing the bigger pieces down to size!

Fitness Sunset

After a cuddle with the animals we said good bye to Liz and headed into the sunset. Once we arrived at Highbury Fields we got going with our fitness session, using a semi-circle of trees as our route - x3 90 seconds with the final 30 seconds at 5km pace! Everyone did amazingly and got muck coloured bourbons as a reward ;)

Next week we are off to help Thornhill Square Gardens, another place I am looking forward to seeing in the light! Sign up here.

PB out.

20 GoodGymers ran 7km to help St Lukes Community Centre chicken pens & food!

Welcome along to newbies Duncan, Corinne and Frankie whose first time it was last night!

In the news this week:

1. We are having our monthly social next Monday at the pub after the group run - come along!
2. A massive well done to Chris Ellaway who reached 50 good deeds last night! Amazing - he has been coming to GoodGym for over a year and has made a massive impact in Islington and Camden - well done :)
3. This Saturday is the April Monthly Long Run - 9 miles, two speeds and pizza finish!
4. It's the GoodGym Olympics on 30th June and GG Islington will want a big team out there to win big! Get practicing with you egg and spoon.

Spring sprung last week but April showers were upon us last night. After a quick warm up we headed south via Liverpool Road and through the busyness of Angel. The staff we glad to see us at St Lukes Community Centre, when we arrived.

This is a fantastic modern Community Centre provides a space for local people to gather and socialise, and for them and other organisations to deliver services and activities for the local community at little or no cost.

Our tasks for the evening were threefold:

1. Frances led a team of 6 to put all the chicken food and chicken bedding inside black rat proof boxes. Splitting the piles into three - green food, yellow food and bedding - the team worked well and piled it all back into the shed.
2. A squad led by Alex filled three planters with compost until 2 inches below the border of the planter. They then mixed the compost thoroughly with forks and leveled the top. These planters will soon be full of SPRING PLANTS!
3. Kike led a group to fill the chicken cage with a layer of woodchip to a level of 10cm. This job involved having several people in the cage while the others emptied the bag into it. Nice!

Good chicken!

After sweeping up and packing away the cardboard into the recycling we took a group picture and headed home for a stretch and a bourbon biscuit!

Sign up for next week here, we are off to Caxton House to do various gardening tasks!

PB out.